I have dedicated some time to Pluto, the forgotten world on the edge of the solar system that is about to transit from Capricorn into Aquarius. As an astrology fan, this is a big thing as Pluto doesn’t change sign very often. Therefore, I decided to have a look at what its new home might mean but also look at the impact it has already made on its journey through the signs of the zodiac.
What is Pluto?
A little bit of Astronomy first. Pluto used to be the 9th planet in the solar system. It was demoted to a Dwarf Planet in 2006 because it didn’t meet all the criteria to remain in the planetary club:
Orbit on a path around the Sun
Be of spherical (or almost) shape
Clear its neighbourhood around its orbit.
Unfortunately, Pluto does not meet the final criteria as it shares its neighbourhood with other large object. This means it cannot be classed as a planet.
Pluto is 5.3 billion kilometres away from Earth and is smaller than our Moon! Surprisingly though, it has 5 moons of its own, the largest being Charon. Pluto is cold! The average temperature is -232°C, making it too cold to sustain life.
Pluto Through the Zodiac
It takes 248 years to orbit the Sun and therefore, make one cycle of the zodiac. That means that, for most people, Pluto will have moved through less than half of the zodiac in their lifetimes. It spends between 11 and 30 years in each sign (the difference is due to retrogrades). This means that Pluto is considered a generational planet, having influence over entire groups of society rather than having an individual impact.
Pluto in Astrology
In Astrology, Pluto is the modern ruler of Scorpio. It is the planet of transformation, life and death cycles and of the desire for power and control. Pluto brings upheaval, whether we are ready for it or not. It may throw us into chaos with the hope that we will emerge from it stronger. Pluto does not mess around; he throws you in at the deep end of the pool and forces you to swim there and then. From this comes personal development and growth. This is also how Pluto encourages you to embrace impermanence and the fact that things are out of your hands – there is no point in fretting over things you have no say over. With Pluto, you learn to take things as they come and act accordingly; you can’t control the wind, but you can control the sail in your boat. Pluto forces a clear out; power struggles, fears, phobias, negative past experiences, irrational thoughts and inner demotions all rise to the surface. Fortunately, introspection can also release your inner strength, allow you to seize control of your own destiny and provide a sense of empowerment. Where and how this happens of course will depend on Pluto’s sign and house placement within your own natal chart.
Pluto’s Next Transit
Pluto enters Aquarius on January 22nd. It last visited the sign of the water bearer in 1798! It will remain in Aquarius until September 2nd. It will then retrograde back into Capricorn before returning to Aquarius on November 20th, where it will remain until 2043! That is a long time for the transformative powers of Pluto to work with the innovative, unconventional and rebellious energies of Aquarius. What could this period bring?
We may see huge technological advancements. This may manifest as scientific breakthroughs, perhaps through advance treatments or even cures for diseases. We may see further advancements in Artificial Intelligence perhaps through its implementation in the workplace or in places of learning. We may be about to receive more advanced Virtual Reality technology that could be used for education as well as entertainment. With the focus on sustainability, I would say it is likely we will see breakthroughs in renewable energy sources, perhaps more efficient or affordable.
There may be an amplification of social and humanitarian movements. We may see increased activism and advocacy for marginalised groups, human rights and social equality. Pluto may highlight issues and inequalities, encouraging many to fight for change. There may be pushes for fairer political systems, fairer distribution of power and governments that are a truer reflection of society. Societal shifts for social justice may gain momentum as society works collectively to break down old barriers of intolerance and discrimination.
This transit may bring upheavals as people work to bring down traditional power structures and work towards decentralised governance. We may see many use the democratic right to protest the traditional power structures and strive for alternative systems of governance and economics. It is safe to say that the status que will not continue as is during this period. It is going to be an exciting and transformative 20 years! I am sure that the world will look much different when Pluto finally leaves the domain of the water bearer.
The Impact of Pluto’s Previous Transits
Over the past 240+ years, Pluto has made its way around all 12 signs of the zodiac, and I was interested to see if it, along with the energies of the signs, had a visible impact on society:
Pisces: Pluto was last in Pisces between 1798 and 1822. This period saw abolitionist movements to end slavery. This represented a huge shift in what was considered “normal” practice. Pluto highlighted the cruelty and injustice of the system and brought it crashing down. The movement to abolish slavery appealed to the collective conscience and emphasised the need for compassion and empathy to those suffering (Pisces). Pisces also blurred the boundaries between race and challenged the idea of one being superior to the other. This period also saw the Romantic Movement, brining a shift in artistic focus. It emphasised emotion, imagination and connections with nature. This connects very closely to Pisces ideals. It represented a change to art that was more introspective and intuitive.
Aries: Pluto last visited the home of the ram between 1822 and 1852. During this time, the Earth saw the commencement of the Industrial Revolution. This destroyed the old ideas of working and methods of doing things, bringing innovation and revolutionary technology and working processes. Britain went from a land of farmers to the workshop of the world. It would lead the way for the invention of many items we rely on today. People embodied the Aries qualities of individualism and risk taking but leaving their homes and heading to the cities in search of a better life. Competition and drive is also evident through the rapid development of technology sands the rise of rival companies.
Taurus: Pluto was last in the realm of the bull between 1852 and 1883. During this time, the California Gold Rush took place. The discovery of Gold in California led to a huge influx of people looking for prosperity and abundance. Towns were established, businesses formed and infrastructure put in place, demonstrating a huge transformation of the areas land and economy. This period also saw the construction of the first transcontinental railway in the USA. It revolutionised transportation and communication, breaking down old barriers that the land once put up. It opened new opportunities for trade, economic growth and expansion. The Taurean determination and practicality is also seen in the undertaking of such a huge engineering task.
Gemini: Pluto last visited the twins between 1883 and 1914. This period saw rapid advancements in communication and intellectual pursuits. The invention of the telephone, the radio and the spread of mass media (mainly newspapers) meant that means of communicating and sharing information were transformed for the better. Journalism also arose as a power for providing information and shaping opinion, thus highlighting the power of Pluto to transform society. and This was a time of intellectual advancements including Einsteins relativity theory which basically tore apart the accepted understanding of the universe, highlighting Pluto’s transformative energy, expressed here in Gemini’s domain of learning and understanding.
Cancer: Pluto was last in Cancer between 1914 and 1939. Between this period, one world war began and ended while a second also began. It brought the rise of totalitarian leaders (Hitler, Mussolini) and brought massive social upheavals, destruction and transformation. It reflects the Cancerian desire for security of the home, both literally in terms of securing their homes but also in their country as home – there was the intense emotions of feeling the need to “do your bit” and “stand up” for your country. This was also the time of the Great Depression. Livelihoods were literally destroyed, and many homes experienced hardship and emotional vulnerability at the loss of home comforts and protection. Lack of money and food required new ways of making do and ensuring the family were looked after as much as possible. However, significant reforms were made around the world through welfare programmes and community support, showing the nurture and compassion of Cancer but also the rebirth and growth of Pluto.
Leo: Pluto last visited the Lion between 1939 and 1957. This was the period of starting over and rebuilding after the War. The post war period saw not only the rebuilding of homes, town and cities, but of whole countries, infrastructure, economies and society. This as a time to establish new national pride and a greater sense of self-identity, both Leo traits. Self-expression also transformed through the birth of rock n roll and the emergence of new art forms and literature.TV was also on the rise with more people now having them in their homes. It revolutionised communication but also brought entertainment and new method of gaining attention and recognition (which Leo loves). The public attention was also captured by the charisma and presence of leaders such as Churchill, Roosevelt and De Gaulle, who left their mark on their countries.
Virgo: Pluto was last in Virgo between 1957 and 1972. During this period we saw civil rights movements. African American and other marginalised groups fought for equal rights and an end to segregation. Activities focused on specific goals, legal strategies and non-violent tactics, mirroring Virgo’s meticulous planning and realistic approaches to problem solving. The sheer numbers of protesters were testament to Virgos need to help others. Pluto smashed old ways of thinking and encouraged something new. There was also growing awareness of environmental issues, echoing Virgo’s desire for cleanliness and the preservation of Earth’s resources. Thorough research by people like Rachel Carson emphasised the need for sustainable practices and suggested means od reading pollution and protecting ecosystems. Again, we see Pluto in action through the shedding of old ways and bringing transformation in terms of alternative means of thinking about society and the environment.
Libra: Pluto last balanced on the scales between 1972 and 1984. This was a time of political transformations and tensions during the height of the Cold War. Pluto intensified the struggles between the USA and the USSR. The balancing power of Libra helped to ensure fair and diplomatic negotiations, increased dialogue and reduced hostilities that managed and ultimately ended these tensions. There were also political transformations around the world; several military dictatorships in Latin America ended as well as the establishment of a democratic system in Portugal. These reflect the destruction of old ways that no longer serve (Pluto) and the desire for equality and fairness (Libra). This was also a time of human rights advocacy; LGBT, women and indigenous people all fought for equality, fairness and harmony, tearing down old, outdated structures and views in the process. The UK got its first female Prime Minister, a huge nod to equality for women.
Scorpio: Pluto last visited Scorpio (its home sign) between 1984 and 1995. During this period, the world saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the USSR. These represented the dismantling of old systems. These events represented the breakdown of ideological structures and opened the door to transformative change through democracy and relationships with other countries around the world. It also unified a country (Germany). This was also the period during which we saw the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa, marking a significant transformation in policies of segregation. Hidden truths were revealed (Pluto and Scorpio like digging deep) such as secret arms deals involving the USA and Iran as well as the horrific genocide in Rwanda, prompting international outrage and action.
Sagittarius: Pluto was last in Sagittarius between 1995 and 2008. While it visited the centaur, we witnessed the rise of religious extremism and ideological conflicts. This can be exemplified through the 9/11 terrorist attacks which were planned due to confrontation (Pluto) based on religious extremism and differing ideologies (Sagittarius). During this period we saw increased tension between different ideologies and sects of the same ideology e.g. the Balkans wars in Bosnia and Kosovo while the Arab Spring uprisings also saw the clash between ruling dictatorships and the desire for democracy in Africa and the Middle East. Here we see Pluto in action through conflicts and huge changes and Sagittarius brings the religious/ideological element.
Capricorn: Pluto has been in Capricorn since 2008 and will remain there for a few more days. During this time, the world faced major economic transformations and power shifts. Pluto’s transformative power exposed flaws within the world financial systems (Capricorn’s domain), leading to the global financial crisis. This highlighted the need for long term planning and led to restructuring of systems and introduction of tighter regulations to prevent a rerun (a very Capricornian solution!). This was also the transit that saw Brexit, the UKs exit from the European Union. This brought a huge change in political and economic structures. The vote challenged the authority of the European Union and transformed the existing power structures. Negotiations were painstaking and required thorough, long term planning to ensure economic and political stability for all involved. The MeToo Movement also highlights the need for change (Pluto) by highlighting the need for integrity, accountability (Capricorn) in various industries.
I hope you have enjoyed my (not so) little journey through the zodiac with Pluto. It is interesting to see the events that occurred during these transits and how the link to the energy of the planet and the sign in which it was located.
Blessed Be
Alan
always
I love that you took this further than just what’s happening now, especially since Pluto is a slow-moving planet and takes a really long time to make a full orbit around the Sun. I’m one of the “lucky” people of the generation of Pluto in Scorpio 
so I tend to feel that a lot, I guess.
thank you for the reminder! That’s how it’s different!
